Former agency chiefs criticize staffing cuts at the Food and Drug Administration

Three former Food and Drug Administration chiefs criticized the Trump administration on October 14, 2026, over massive staff reductions at the federal public health agency. STAT News reported that the former leaders warned the cuts stripped the agency of crucial expertise that will take years to rebuild. Rob Califf, who served as agency commissioner under Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, spoke during the STAT Summit. [1]

According to STAT News, Califf described the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, as one of the biggest disasters in American history. The initiative led by Elon Musk conducted mass layoffs of government employees. STAT News reported that DOGE initially cut 3,500 workers at the agency, which preceded a wider staff exodus under the administration. [1]

The cuts occurred during the second Trump administration, when the initiative took control of federal government information systems to downsize agencies. Wikipedia notes that the initiative targeted various regulatory agencies and cabinet departments to reduce the size of the federal workforce. [4]

The former leaders emphasized that the departure of experienced staff leaves the agency without vital institutional knowledge. Restoring the workforce and regulatory capacity is expected to take several years. [1]